Churchill sent Lord Cork to Norway even though several senior officers were already involved in the campaign. Cork held senior rank in theater but did not directly control the Home Fleet ships operating there. His requests had to travel back to the Admiralty and then out again to the Home Fleet commander, who was also present in the operational area. The added army chain of command made the arrangement still more confused, and extra seniority without unified authority slowed the joint operation.
Notable Point · 43:15-44:01
Norway's command chain separated rank from operational control
A senior admiral in theater still had to route ship requests through London to the Home Fleet commander beside him.